New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-03-23
THE HOME-RULE BATTLE.

Public opinion in England is divided re-
specting the expcdiency and justice of coercion.
When tie Liberal Government had recourse In
1881 and again in 1882 to tho time-worn pol
icy of force, the Irish members stood alone.
A majority of the Scotch and Welsh members
arc now on their side and formidable body
of English Liberals led by Mr.. Morley and Sir
William Harcourt are prepared to contest the
passage of the new Coercion bill at every stage
Mr.. Gladstone himself is to lead the opponents
Of the Governments belatcd measure and the
Irish cause will be defended by a large majority
of Liberal journals in The United Kingdom.
Mr.. Balfour in introducing the Coercion bill
NAV plead that the supremacy OF Crown law
must be restored in Ireland before reform
legislation can be attempted but he
viii not be supported, as Mr.. Forster and Sir
George Trevelyan were, by an undivided pub
lie opinion in England. His announcement Of
the measure was Immediately followed by Mr..
Morlcy's amendment, which was received with
cheers by the united Homo Rule column.
Mr.. Foster introduced his Coercion Act as
early as January "a and it was sent to the
Lords on February %, with only 80 votes re-
corded against it. In the interval the iIlsh mem
hers had had recourse to obstruction and had
been repeatedly named and expelled from the
Commons and the passage OF the Act had only
been effected by Parliamentary coup detat
on the part Of the Speaker for which there was
no legal warrant and which could only DC
justified on the ground Of political necessity.
| Mr. Cowan was almost the only Literal who
gave aid to the Irish members in their cam
paipn against coercion. The Crimes Act
Passed during the following year was sup
ported in like manner by both English parties,
the struggle in the Commons being Of shor'
duration owing to the general horror caused by
the Phoenix Park murders. On these occasions
the Irish members were pOwcrlcSs TO do more
tilan rc.aId by obstruction tactics the united
action Of the Liberals and Tories They were
an insignificant faction, numbering not more
than thirty-six. Now there are nearly ninety
Nationalist united as one man and behind
| them are Mr.. GladStonc's forces. No stronger
proof of the improved prospects OF the lilsi
cause could lie furnished than is afforded by
the contrast between the conditions under
which the coercion acts have been introduced
II is on this account that the preliminary
skirmishing of the Irish members
10 be regretted. The exciting NIGH
session was brought to close witt
the enforcement of the new closure
rule and the adoption of various votes II
supply Nothing was gained by the rcviva
of obstruction tactics. Much may he lost Il
the Irish members continue to have recourse
to such cxpedients. The day for guerrilla
warfare has passed. The Nationalist nov
have an English political camp in alliance
with them al.I can battle in the open field fo
Home Rule They should abandon tactic
which can scarcely fail to cmbaIrass the LIB
cral leader and to ALLEVIATE the support OF tn
Liberal forces. They should strive t.
strengthen English opinion, which is nov
moving steadily in the direction of Home Rule
Self-control and moderation are Parliamentary
virtues which Mr.. ParnelIs followers canno
now afford to despise.